Mike Flanagan’s ‘The Life of Chuck’ Finally Has a Release Date

by

As a movie enthusiast with over three decades of cinematic adventures under my belt, I must say that the upcoming release of “The Life of Chuck” by Mike Flanagan has me genuinely excited. Having witnessed his masterful adaptations of Stephen King’s works like “Gerald’s Game,” “Doctor Sleep,” and “Hush,” I can confidently predict a captivating journey for this unique film.

According to Bloody Disgusting, Mike Flanagan’s upcoming movie, titled “The Life of Chuck,” which is based on Stephen King’s novella with the same name from his 2020 collection “If It Bleeds,” has been given an official release date. This film, known for directors like The Haunting of Hill House, Hush, and Oculus, will be available in theaters via NEON on May 30th, 2025.

In September 2024, the movie debuted for the first time on a global scale at the Toronto International Film Festival, and it was honored with the highly respected People’s Choice Award. As described by Jane Schoettle from TIFF, here’s the storyline:

In “The Life of Chuck,” director Mike Flanagan deviates from the dark and eerie themes he’s known for, instead delving into one of Stephen King’s less grim perspectives. This adaptation encapsulates the essence of King’s most hopeful narratives.

“‘The Journey of Chuck’

The film features an incredibly stacked cast, including (Crimson Peak), Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Karen Gillan (Oculus), Jacob Tremblay (Doctor Sleep), Mark Hamill (Star Wars), Matthew Lillard (Scream), Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Mia Sara (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), Harvey Guillen (What We Do in the Shadows), David Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil), and Kate Siegel (The Haunting of Hill House, also Flanagan’s wife and frequent collaborator).

Flanagan has worked in Stephen King’s literary realm before, adapting “Gerald’s Game” for Netflix and “Doctor Sleep,” the follow-up to “The Shining,” for Warner Bros. Notably, his work on “Doctor Sleep” earned him acclaim for blending Stephen King’s narrative with Stanley Kubrick’s cinematography, a combination that King himself has criticized. He is now tasked with overseeing a new TV series based on King’s debut novel, “Carrie,” and finally bringing the epic “Dark Tower” novels to life on screen.

A Departure For Both King and Flanagan

Fans are familiar with King as the Master of Horror, but “The Life of Chuck” is not a horror story, although it does tackle some serious themes. The movie’s narrative unfolds in reverse, and it delves into the end times through the eyes of Chuck Krantz (Hiddleston), an unassuming accountant who appears to be ordinary. Critics have described this film as uplifting and even joyful, making it a significant departure for both King and Flanagan.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Flanagan shared that King, who funded the project independently, was initially hesitant about the adaptation. He essentially said, “‘Oh, okay. Yeah. If you believe it’s a movie… He frequently expressed his thoughts that securing support for it through traditional channels would be difficult.” However, after watching the completed film, King no longer harbored any doubts, referring to it as “a factory of happiness.

Fans will have to wait until spring of next year to feel the joy.

Read More

2024-12-04 01:33